My good friend Will recently asked for some advice dealing with what he calls "The Rush Hour":

...now between 4:00 and 5:00 has become the Rush Hour for me: how many proposals, quotes, emails, phone calls can you get out before most people head home? That hour never has enough minutes anymore.

For many the term "Rush Hour" refers to the mad rush to get home from work and relax, but many people deal with Will's version every day. It's the mad rush to finish everything you need to get done so that you can get into your car and battle the other rush hour.

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Doesn't sound like a very productive way to work or loads of fun now does it? For me, having anything wait until the last minute can be a major stress and I avoid it whenever possible. So, having trouble with "rush hour" yourself? I've got a few tips that might help.

A three-step approach can keep tasks from stacking up in the last hour of the day.

Plan your day.

Do easy tasks first.

Don't procrastinate.

Proper planning is key.

Planning out your day (and your week and your month) can be a real help. If you take a few minutes early in the day to get a handle on what you need to do you can better manage your time and keep tasks from stacking up.

Tackle easy stuff first.

Once you've done your planning, do yourself a favor and set aside some time to clear any small stuff off your plate. The things that tend to pile up at the end of days are usually smaller tasks, and there are usually quite a few of them. Knocking things out early on will help you build a productive momentum for your whole day.

The early bird gets the worm.

The best way to avoid "rush hour" is to be sure you've finished everything early. Make sure you're getting an early start on all your tasks. I'm a huge fan of the quick start; it really does work.

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You don't even have to make significant progress on your tasks. Sometimes even the smallest effort at the beginning can make a ton of difference in the long run. Just remember, every little bit you can get done early is a bit you won't have to deal with during your "rush hour".